System capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying

ABSTRACT

A system is capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying, and includes a water supplying device, a humidifying device and an oxyhydrogen ion generating device. The humidifying device is coupled to the water supplying device and includes a moist air output unit and a water passage unit permitting supply of water from the water supplying device to the moist air output unit, which can operate to form water into moist air. The oxyhydrogen ion generating device is coupled to the water supplying device and includes a container receiving water from the water supplying device, electrode plates disposed in the container, and an output conduit. The electrode plates are operable to electrolytically convert water to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released via the output conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 100225056, filed on Dec. 30, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, Taiwanese patent publication no. M411997 discloses a supporting frame comprising a base 11, a supporting rod 12, a spraying module 13, a liquid providing pipe 14 connected to the spraying module 13, and an output pipe 15 connected to the spraying module 13 and having a plurality of atomizing nozzles 151. The base 11 has an upward protruding shape, and forms a containing space 111 at the bottom surface. The spraying module 13 is contained in the containing space 111 of the base 11, and includes a water inlet 131 and a water outlet 132. The water inlet 131 extends to the exterior of the base 11 and can be connected to the water supply pipe 14 for receiving water therefrom. The water outlet 132 can be connected to the output pipe 15, and outputs high pressure water that has been pressurized by the spraying module 13 to the output pipe 15. The output pipe 15 can be retractably hidden within the supporting rod 12, and then pulled out from an opening at the top of the supporting rod 12 The output pipe 15, which has the atomizing nozzles 151 exposed from the supporting rod 12, can be assembled on a support (not shown in figure). The aforesaid supporting frame is able to conveniently lower the ambient temperature, and at the same time achieve the function of increasing humidity to suit human body conditions. However, in order to improve indoor air quality, a function of maintaining air cleanliness to resist germs and reduce foul odor is also in demand.

Air purifying technology and associated products in the market have evolved through several stages, from air filtering and absorption that remove pollutant particles in the air to sterilization by ozone and negative ion etc. Although ozone and negative ion techniques are capable of sterilizing and purifying air, ozone is harmful to the human body and thus is not suitable for use in a closed space.

In general, negative ion technique produces ions with negative charge by a negative ion producing circuit, and utilizes positive-negative attraction to cause pollutant particles to attach (deposit) onto positively charged floor and/or wall surfaces. Therefore, after a long period of use, black stains will be formed due to deposits on floor and/or wall surfaces surrounding the negative ion air cleaner, which is a significant drawback.

Current oxyhydrogen ion technology takes electrons away from organic substance (such as germs, viruses or various odor particles) by the high activity of oxyhydrogen ions, and the organic substances that lose electrons will then degrade into smaller molecules such as carbon dioxide and water, due to its loss of bonding capability. Therefore, germs, viruses and odor particles will die or breakdown due to the degradation of organic compounds on their surfaces. Further, oxyhydrogen ion having dangling bonds that can retain moisture in the air aids dry skin and moisturizing, and also can aid in growths of plant and preservation of food.

Therefore, oxyhydrogen ion technology not only can solve the problem of pollutant particles, it is healthy for the human body, and is suitable for use in different types of indoor area, such as home, car, factory, hospitals, etc. How to achieve air cleaning by oxyhydrogen ion and increase humidity of an area simultaneously is the subject of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying.

According to the present invention, a system is capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying, and comprises:

a water supplying device;

a humidifying device coupled to the water supplying device and including a moist air output unit and a water passage unit coupled to the moist air output unit, the water passage unit permitting supply of water from the water supplying device to the moist air output unit, the moist air output unit being operable to form the water received thereby into moist air that is released to the environment; and

an oxyhydrogen ion generating device coupled to the water supplying device and including a container, electrode plates disposed in the container, and an output conduit coupled to the container, the container being disposed to receive water from the water supplying device, the electrode plates being operable to electrolytically convert the water in the container to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released to the environment via the output conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional humidifier disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. M411997;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of a system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying according to the present invention is shown to comprise a casing 2, a water supplying device 3, a humidifying device 4, an oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5, a pipe unit 61, a filter 62, a first fan 71, a second fan 72, first and second filter screens 81, 82, and a control device 9.

The casing 2 has an air outlet 21 and an air inlet 22.

The water supplying device 3 is disposed in the casing 2 and includes a water inlet unit 31 for connection to an external water source 63 and for permitting flow of water from the external water source 63 into the water supplying device 3.

The humidifying device 4 includes a moist air output unit 41 and a water passage unit 42. The water passage unit 42 includes a water pipe 421 that is coupled to the moist air output unit 41 and that extends into the water supplying device 3, and a water pump 422 that is disposed at one end of the water pipe 421 for pumping water out of the water supplying device 3. The water passage unit 42 permits supply of water from the water supplying device 3 to the moist air output unit 41. The moist air output unit 41 is operable to form the water received thereby from the water pipe 421 into moist air using high pressure techniques. The moist air is subsequently released to the environment.

The oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 is disposed in the casing 2 and includes a container 52, electrode plates 53 disposed in the container 52, and an output conduit 54 coupled to the container 52. The container 52 is disposed to receive water from the water supplying unit 3. The electrode plates 53 are operable to electrolytically convert the water in the container 52 to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released to the environment via the output conduit 54.

The pipe unit 61 interconnects the water supplying device 3 and the container 52 of the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5.

The filter 62 is disposed in the pipe unit 61 and serves to filter out impurities in the water flowing into the container 52 and thereby avoid accumulation of such impurities in the container 52 that may undesirably affect the efficiency of electrolytic conversion.

The first fan 71 is disposed adjacent to the air inlet 22 for blowing air toward the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 to cool the latter.

The second fan 72 is disposed in the casing 2 adjacent to the air outlet 21.

The first filter screen 81 is disposed on the casing 2 at the air outlet 21 for filtering the oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released via the output conduit 54, and prevents contaminants from entering into the output conduit 54 via the air outlet 21.

The second filter screen 82 is disposed on the casing 2 at the air inlet 22 for filtering the air that enters into the casino 2 via one air inlet 22.

The system of this embodiment includes the casing 2 such that the system has the form of a single appliance with both oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying functions. However, when the system of this invention is integrated with a different system, such as a car air conditioning system, the casing 2 may be omitted, and various parts of the system of this invention may be located at different positions of a car.

The control device 9 includes a first level detector 91, a second level detector 92, a power controller 93 coupled to the first and second level detectors 91, 92, a first control valve 94 disposed on the pipe unit 61, a second control valve 97 disposed on the water inlet unit 31, and a control interface 95 and an alarm unit 96 disposed on the casing 2.

The first level defector 91 is disposed to detect wafer level in the container 52. When the water level detected by the first level detector 91 corresponds to a low level condition, the first control valve 94 is operable to permit flow of water from the water supplying device 3 into the container 52 via the pipe unit 61 so that the water level may be maintained in the container 52.

The second level detector 92 is disposed to detect water level in the water supplying device 3. When the water inlet unit 31 is coupled to the external water source 63, and when the water level detected by the second level detector 92 corresponds to a low level condition, the second control valve 97 is operable to permit flow of water from the external water source 63 into the water supplying device 3 via the water inlet unit 31. On the other hand, when the water inlet unit 31 is not coupled to the external water source 63, and when the water level detected by the second level detector 92 corresponds to the low level condition, the alarm unit 96 is operable to generate an indication to remind users of the need to replenish the water supplying device 3 with water. In this embodiment, the alarm unit 96 is a lamp, and the indication generated thereby is a visible indication.

When the water levels respectively detected by the first level detector 91 and the second level detector 92 both correspond to the low level condition, the power controller 93 is operable to shut down the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 and the humidifying device 4, thereby preventing overheating and possible damage of the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 due to continued operation with insufficient water.

The control interface 95 is coupled electrically to the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 and the humidifying device 4 and is operable to activate the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 and the humidifying device 4 independently of each other. Accordingly, the system of this embodiment is operable in a selected one of three modes: a humidifying mode where only the humidifying device 4 is activated; an air cleaning mode where only the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 is activated; and a humidifying and air cleaning mode where both the humidifying device 4 and the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 are activated.

During use, the control interface 95 is manually operated to select the mode of actuation. When the humidifying and air cleaning mode is selected, the water in the water supplying device 3 can flow into the container 52 through the pipe unit 61, and the electrode plates 53 operate to perform high voltage electrolysis, producing the oxyhydrogen ions capable of air cleaning. The oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas thus produced can be released at the air outlet 21 through the output conduit 54. Before the oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas is released, it can be filtered to ensure cleanliness. At the same time, the contaminants can be prevented from entering into the output conduit 54 by the first filter screen 81.

Further, the water pump 422 of the water passage unit 42 will be actuated simultaneously, and the water in the water supplying device 3 is transported to the moist air output unit 41 through the water pipe 421. The moist art output unit 41 can form the pumped water into racist air using high pressure techniques and the moist air is subsequently released to the environment. Further, the first fan 71 can blew air toward the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 to cool the same.

The system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying of the present invention has the following advantages:

-   -   (1) Operating two different types of systems can be avoided when         there is a need of increasing the humidity and air cleaning at         the same time.     -   (2) The control interface 95 can operate to either activate the         humidifying device 4 alone to increase air humidity, or activate         the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 alone to perform air         cleaning, or activate both the humidifying device 4 and the         oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5 simultaneously to increase         humidity and perform air cleaning simultaneously. Therefore, the         selected mode of operation can be decided according to the         situation in the environment, providing convenience and         flexibility. Furthermore, when, the water in the container 52 is         below a certain level, electrolysis reaction can be prevented         through the cooperation between the power controller 93 and the         first and second level detectors 91, 92, thereby avoiding         machine damage.

In summary, the system of the present invention, through the integration of the humidifying device 4 and the oxyhydrogen ion generating device 5, achieves a combined system for both oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidity boosting, as well as providing users with increased safety and convenience.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying, comprising: a water supply device; a humidifying device coupled to said water supplying device and including a moist air output unit and a water passage unit coupled to said moist air output unit, said water passage unit permitting supply of wafer from said water supplying device to said moist air output unit, said moist air output unit being operable to form the water received thereby into moist air that is released to the environment; and an oxyhydrogen ion generating device coupled to said water supplying device and including a container, electrode plates disposed in said container, and an output conduit coupled to said container, said container being disposed to receive water from said water supplying device, said electrode plates being operable to electrolytically convert the water in said container to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released to the environment via said output conduit.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a level detector for detecting water level in said container.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control device, said control device including a level detector for detecting water level in said water supplying device.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control device further includes an alarm unit for generating an indication when the water level detected by said level detector corresponds to a low level condition.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pipe unit interconnecting said water supplying device and said container of said oxyhydrogen ion generating device.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a control device, said control device including a first level detector for detecting water level in said container, a second level detector for detecting wafer level in said water supplying device, and a power controller coupled to said first level detector and said second level detector and operable to shut down said oxyhydrogen ion generating device and said humidifying device when water levels respectively detected by said first level detector and said second level detector both correspond to a low level condition.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control device further includes a control valve disposed on said pipe unit and operable to permit flow of water from said water supplying device into said container when the water level detected by said first level detector corresponds to the low level condition.
 8. The system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a filter disposed in said pipe unit.
 9. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control device, said control device including a control interface coupled electrically to said oxyhydrogen ion generating device and said humidifying device and operable to activate said oxyhydrogen ion generating device and said humidifying device independently of each other.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water passage unit of said humidifying device includes a water pipe that extends into said water supplying device, and a water pump disposed at one end of said water pipe for pumping water out of said water supplying device.
 11. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a casing having an air outlet and an air inlet, and first and second filter screens disposed on said casing at said air outlet and said air inlet respectively, said water supplying device and said oxyhydrogen ion generating device being disposed in said casing.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fan for cooling said oxyhydrogen ion generating device.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water supplying device includes a water inlet unit for connection to an external water source and for permitting flow of water from the external water source into said water supplying device.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a control device, said control device including a level detector for detecting water level in said water supplying device, and a control valve disposed on said water inlet unit and operable to permit flow of water from the external water source into said water supplying device when the water level detected by said level detector corresponds to a low level condition. 